By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) will begin the sale of Expression of Interest forms to aspirants seeking election on its platform for various elective positions ahead of the 2027 general election today.
NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, May 12, noting that the forms will be on sale from May 13 to May 18 as part of its internal electoral process ahead of the next general elections.
According to the statement, the party stated that it would commence the sale of nomination forms after the screening exercise scheduled from May 21 to May 23, 2026, and advised aspirants to attend the screening exercise with their relevant credentials and supporting documents.
Zuwoghe said, “The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially announced the commencement of the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for aspirants seeking to contest various elective positions on the platform of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The screening and interview of aspirants, which will determine eligibility for the purchase of Nomination Forms, will hold from Tuesday, May 19, to Thursday, May 21, 2026.
“The party advised all aspirants to attend the screening exercise with their relevant credentials and supporting documents.
“The sale of Nomination Forms will commence immediately after the screening exercise, from Thursday, May 21, to Saturday, May 23, 2026, while completed forms must be submitted on or before Monday, May 25, 2026.
“The NDC further stated that appeals arising from the screening process will be entertained on May 25 and 26, while primary elections for various elective offices are scheduled to hold on May 27 and 28, 2026.”
According to the released schedule for the conduct of its primary elections, the NDC fixed its presidential primary election for May 29, 2026, in Abuja.
The party pegged its fee for presidential nomination and expression of interest forms at N60 million; aspirants for the Senate category are to pay N8 million for both forms, while governorship hopefuls are to pay N30 million for both forms.
Under the party’s approved fee structure, which it said “remains among the lowest compared to those of other major political parties in the country,” aspirants for the state Houses of Assembly are expected to pay N2.5 million for both the expression of interest and nomination forms, while those for the House of Representatives will pay N6 million.
“For the presidency, aspirants will pay N20 million for the expression of interest form and N40 million for the nomination, bringing the total cost to N60 million.
“Meanwhile, female aspirants and persons living with disability are to pay 50 percent and 25 percent of the fees across all categories,” the statement added.
On screening modalities, the party’s National Chairman said aspirants seeking tickets for state Houses of Assembly would be screened in their respective states, while screening for National Assembly and presidential aspirants would take place at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Zuwoghe added that every aspirant will be required to sign an undertaking in line with the party’s guidelines and code of conduct.
He noted that the party resolved to adopt the ‘open ballot system,’ a voting method in which voters vote openly, in contrast to a secret ballot, where a voter’s choices are confidential.
“The party also announced that it would adopt the ‘open secret ballot’ system for its primaries to guarantee credibility, fairness, and internal democracy.
“The party reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent and credible primary election process capable of producing competent candidates for the 2027 general elections,” Zuwoghe stated.
